Jody Payne
Encyclopedia
Jody Payne is an American
country
musician
and singer. He is probably best known as a longtime guitarist
in Willie Nelson
's band
.
He was born James L. Payne in Garrard County, Kentucky
. He and his sister, Imogene Payne (born 1934), sang together when they were five and six years old. He sang and played the mandolin
for Imogene’s first year graduation and that was the beginning of his music career.
His next performance was when he was about 10 or 11, they sang with his father on a radio show
on WHIR in Danville
.
In 1951, Payne went on the road with Charlie Monroe
for a time. After he returned home, the family moved to Cincinnati
. He was drafted into the Army
in 1958 and served two years. He was discharged in 1960 and, in the spring of 1961, went to Detroit
and started playing at the West Fort Tavern.
He first met Willie Nelson in about 1962 in Detroit. Nelson was playing bass with Ray Price
. Payne started working with Nelson in November 1973. Before that, he played for Merle Haggard
.
After playing with Willie Nelson for 35 years he retired from Nelsons band in 2008.
Payne and country singer Sammi Smith
married, but later divorced. They had one son, musician/singer/actor Waylon Payne
(born 1972). He and his later wife, Vicki, were married in about 1980. They had a son, Austin Payne (born 1981).
Jody Payne remains active as a musician. He and his wife, Vicki, live in Stapleton, Alabama
.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
country
Country music
Country music is a popular American musical style that began in the rural Southern United States in the 1920s. It takes its roots from Western cowboy and folk music...
musician
Musician
A musician is an artist who plays a musical instrument. It may or may not be the person's profession. Musicians can be classified by their roles in performing music and writing music.Also....* A person who makes music a profession....
and singer. He is probably best known as a longtime guitarist
Guitarist
A guitarist is a musician who plays the guitar. Guitarists may play a variety of instruments such as classical guitars, acoustic guitars, electric guitars, and bass guitars. Some guitarists accompany themselves on the guitar while singing.- Versatility :The guitarist controls an extremely...
in Willie Nelson
Willie Nelson
Willie Hugh Nelson is an American country music singer-songwriter, as well as an author, poet, actor, and activist. The critical success of the album Shotgun Willie , combined with the critical and commercial success of Red Headed Stranger and Stardust , made Nelson one of the most recognized...
's band
Musical ensemble
A musical ensemble is a group of people who perform instrumental or vocal music. In classical music, trios or quartets either blend the sounds of musical instrument families or group together instruments from the same instrument family, such as string ensembles or wind ensembles...
.
He was born James L. Payne in Garrard County, Kentucky
Garrard County, Kentucky
Garrard County is a county located in the U.S. state of Kentucky. It is pronounced 'Gair-ad' with the third "r" silent. It was formed in 1797 and was named for James Garrard, Governor of Kentucky from 1796 to 1804. Its county seat is Lancaster. The population was 16,912 in the 2010 Census...
. He and his sister, Imogene Payne (born 1934), sang together when they were five and six years old. He sang and played the mandolin
Mandolin
A mandolin is a musical instrument in the lute family . It descends from the mandore, a soprano member of the lute family. The mandolin soundboard comes in many shapes—but generally round or teardrop-shaped, sometimes with scrolls or other projections. A mandolin may have f-holes, or a single...
for Imogene’s first year graduation and that was the beginning of his music career.
His next performance was when he was about 10 or 11, they sang with his father on a radio show
Radio programming
Radio programming is the Broadcast programming of a Radio format or content that is organized for Commercial broadcasting and Public broadcasting radio stations....
on WHIR in Danville
Danville, Kentucky
Danville is a city in and the county seat of Boyle County, Kentucky, United States. The population was 16,218 at the 2010 census.Danville is the principal city of the Danville Micropolitan Statistical Area, which includes all of Boyle and Lincoln counties....
.
In 1951, Payne went on the road with Charlie Monroe
Charlie Monroe
Charlie Monroe was an American country and bluegrass music guitarist.-Biography:Monroe was born on his family's farm in Rosine, Kentucky; he was the older brother of the mandolin player Bill Monroe. His sister Bertha also played guitar, and brother Birch, fiddle...
for a time. After he returned home, the family moved to Cincinnati
Cincinnati, Ohio
Cincinnati is a city in the U.S. state of Ohio. Cincinnati is the county seat of Hamilton County. Settled in 1788, the city is located to north of the Ohio River at the Ohio-Kentucky border, near Indiana. The population within city limits is 296,943 according to the 2010 census, making it Ohio's...
. He was drafted into the Army
United States Army
The United States Army is the main branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for land-based military operations. It is the largest and oldest established branch of the U.S. military, and is one of seven U.S. uniformed services...
in 1958 and served two years. He was discharged in 1960 and, in the spring of 1961, went to Detroit
Detroit, Michigan
Detroit is the major city among the primary cultural, financial, and transportation centers in the Metro Detroit area, a region of 5.2 million people. As the seat of Wayne County, the city of Detroit is the largest city in the U.S. state of Michigan and serves as a major port on the Detroit River...
and started playing at the West Fort Tavern.
He first met Willie Nelson in about 1962 in Detroit. Nelson was playing bass with Ray Price
Ray Price (musician)
Ray Price is an American country music singer, songwriter and guitarist. His wide-ranging baritone has often been praised as among the best male voices of country music...
. Payne started working with Nelson in November 1973. Before that, he played for Merle Haggard
Merle Haggard
Merle Ronald Haggard is an American country music singer, guitarist, fiddler, instrumentalist, and songwriter. Along with Buck Owens, Haggard and his band The Strangers helped create the Bakersfield sound, which is characterized by the unique twang of Fender Telecaster guitars, vocal harmonies,...
.
After playing with Willie Nelson for 35 years he retired from Nelsons band in 2008.
Payne and country singer Sammi Smith
Sammi Smith
Sammi Smith was an American country music singer and songwriter. Born Jewel Faye Smith, she is best known for her 1971 country/pop crossover hit, "Help Me Make It Through the Night", which was written by Kris Kristofferson...
married, but later divorced. They had one son, musician/singer/actor Waylon Payne
Waylon Payne
Waylon Payne is an American country singer, songwriter, musician and actor.-Early life:Payne was born in Nashville, Tennessee, the son of guitarist Jody Payne and Grammy Award-winning country singer Sammi Smith. His father became a longtime picker for Willie Nelson; his mother toured with Waylon...
(born 1972). He and his later wife, Vicki, were married in about 1980. They had a son, Austin Payne (born 1981).
Jody Payne remains active as a musician. He and his wife, Vicki, live in Stapleton, Alabama
Stapleton, Alabama
Stapleton is a small unincorporated community in northern Baldwin County, Alabama, United States, with a population of 519.. It is part of the Daphne–Fairhope–Foley Micropolitan Statistical Area. Stapleton lies along U.S. Route 31 and State Route 59 and has been considered for...
.